steven grogan

After dropping out of high school, Steve Grogan roamed the communes of California, eventually ending up at Spahn's Movie Ranch in the spring of 1967. Grogan was a talented musician and had a criminal record; which included small time crimes such as Disturbing the Peace, and Possession of Marijuana. He joined the Manson family when they moved to Spahn's Ranch in the spring of 1968.

AKA: Clem Tufts, Grant Mollan, Scramblehead

DOB: 05/24/46

Parole Status: Paroled November 18, 1985

During the days the family hung around with Beach Boy Dennis Wilson, Steve crashed Wilson's uninsured Ferrari while racing through the roads outside of Spahn's Ranch. While many at the Ranch viewed Clem Tufts (an alias used by Grogan) as mentally handicapped, others felt that he was just playing dumb.

Clem was arrested in the October 10, 1969 Barker Ranch raid. When police realized the family's involvement in the Tate murders, Grogan became an early suspect. In 1971, Steve went on trial for the Shea murder, was convicted, and sentenced to death by the jury. However, on December 23, 1971, Judge James Kolts changed the sentence to Life imprisonment, stating "Grogan was too stupid and too hopped up on drugs to deicide anything on his own."

In prison, Clem transformed from a drugged-out zombie to a mature, remorseful young man. In 1977, Clem drew a map to help authorities finally locate the body of Donald Shea. When Shea's remains were found, they were in one piece. On November 18, 1985, Grogan was released from prison. To date, he is the only Manson family member convicted of murder to be released from prison.